Few people know how to see an aura, but many can learn this technique with the help of special exercises. Such sacred knowledge helps to better understand people, conduct business more effectively, and even heal illnesses of the soul and body.
The island state of Malta has always attracted thousands of tourists with excellent resorts and many interesting attractions. Most travelers in the last days of their vacation prefer to take a last walk along the ancient streets and acquire memorable souvenirs.
Maltese cuisine is a unique mix of European and Arabic cuisines. The country has a lot of different restaurants and cafes to suit every taste. In our new article we will talk about the features of the traditional cuisine of Malta and the best national dishes and drinks.
Malta is a paradise for tourists. In addition to many interesting attractions, active recreation lovers can go surfing and diving, especially if you find yourself on the island of Gozo, the second largest island of the state. You will learn more about how and where to dive best in our next article.
The three cities, which include Cospicua, Senglea and Vittoriosa, are rightfully considered the cradle of Maltese history - without visiting them, it is impossible to get to know the country and its culture. In our new article we will tell you more about each of the cities and their attractions.
Diving in Malta is one of the most popular tourist attractions. The purest clear water, unusual topography and excellent weather conditions that allow you to dive underwater at any time of the year are a pleasant bonus. We will tell you more about what travelers need to know before setting off to explore the underwater world of Malta later in our article.
Malta is one of the dwarf states in Europe, and therefore it is not at all surprising that the country has only one international airport, which is located approximately 5 km from the capital, Valletta. Read more about where the airport is and how to get to it in our new article.
Malta is a small island state in the Mediterranean. In addition to beach holidays, the country is rich in attractions. A separate category is made up of numerous museums in Malta, telling about the history and culture of the people. You will learn more about the best of them in our next article.
The beaches of Malta are rightfully considered one of the most important attractions of this small country, because, in addition to snow-white sand and crystal clear water, gorgeous landscapes appear before the tourist’s eyes. Read more about the best sandy and rocky beaches in Malta in our new article.
Malta is an island state where, according to many travelers, some of the best resorts in Europe are located. When choosing where to stay in Malta, we recommend that you pay attention to the following hotels, which are rightfully considered the best.
Malta is an island state in the Mediterranean. In total, 23 megalithic temples were discovered here, but only four of them have survived to this day - Ggantija, Hagar Kvim, Mnajdra, Tarshjen. Read more about each of them further in our new article.
Malta is a dwarf state in Europe, but the modest size of the country does not prevent it from being one of the most visited by tourists. We will talk further about how to get around Malta, what types of transport are available here and what the cost of travel is in our new material.
1. What to see and do
The good thing about Malta is that here everyone will find something to their liking: many attractions, beautiful nature and a variety of entertainment will make your holiday enjoyable and educational.
If you prefer an active holiday to lazing on the beach, then feel free to choose diving, rock climbing, golf and many other sports. Well, if you want to relax away from the hustle and bustle, be sure to go explore the beaches, lagoons and picturesque landscapes. There will be something to do in Malta for those who like to have fun and have a noisy relaxation: bars, restaurants, clubs and casinos - all at your service.
For those travelers who are not averse to learning something new, Malta is simply a godsend: ancient fortresses, ruins of ancient buildings, temples, and all this with the sauce of an eventful history. Here it is simply impossible not to mention the island of Gozo with its ancient megalithic structures and caves.
Be sure to visit the island's capital, Valletta, to stroll through its streets, admiring the ancient cathedrals and buildings, many of which still contain ancient frescoes and paintings by the great masters of the past. It is worth seeing the Cathedral of St. John, the Palace of the Grand Master, the Armory of the Knights, Fort St. Elmo, and also the beautiful palaces of Parisio, Castilla and Provence.
Don't forget about the walled city of Mdina (the first Maltese capital). Its palaces (Inguanets, St. Sophia, Archbishop) and museums, temples (Hajar Im, Mnajdra and Tarshin) and cathedrals (St. Paul's Cathedral, the Carmelite Church), as well as the cells of the first Christian prophets are worth staying here at least for day and touch the ancient history of this place.
But if you are a hunter of beautiful landscapes and like to be alone with nature, you should go to the south or west of Malta, because this is where you will find the most impressive views on the island. You can also stop by the fishing village of Marsaxlokk to taste seafood bought right there on the embankment at the Sunday market. Better yet, take a boat trip along the coast to not only enjoy the view of Malta, but also appreciate the beauty of the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
Diving is a very popular activity in Malta because... The island's coastal waters are rich in flora and fauna and attract divers from all over the world. However, if you also want to dive into the depths of the Mediterranean Sea, it is worth considering that for diving in Malta you must obtain a local permit - card “C”.
It is issued at the island's diving centers, and for this you need to provide a medical certificate (this can be obtained on site), two photographs, a ship's book and a fee (1 lira).
There are schools on the island where instructors give lessons to beginning divers and also take CMAS or PADI level exams. It is important to remember that spearfishing and swimming in several archaeological areas are prohibited in Malta. If you find something valuable underwater, you must not touch it - you should report this to the museum or diving school.
3. Smoking
The Maltese are a strict people when it comes to following rules and regulations. On the beaches of the island, for example, it is prohibited to sunbathe topless, and you will not be allowed into temples wearing beach clothes or excessively revealing clothing. The attitude towards smoking is no exception - in Malta there is a ban on smoking in public places. Smoking is only allowed in establishments that have special hoods in designated smoking areas. The population of the island is officially allowed to report on the owners of those establishments where there is no hood and where, nevertheless, visitors smoke.
4. Security
When traveling to Malta, you can rest assured - this is one of the few places with the lowest crime rate. The worst thing that can happen is petty theft, and even then it is “performed” by migrants from African countries. But still, tourists are advised not to leave things in a parked car and keep everything valuable in the hotel safe.
5. Maltese cuisine
Not trying the local cuisine is simply a gastronomic crime! After all, the culinary traditions of Malta have absorbed the features of European and African national cuisines, so appreciating the resulting motley mixture is your first duty as a tourist.
Be sure to try the seafood dishes: the traditional pie with lampuka (a fish like tuna) or, if you're up for something a little different, spaghetti with octopus ink sauce. It is also worth paying attention to stuffed eggplants, bragioli (beef meat rolls stuffed with minced meat and bacon and sauce) and rabbit stewed in tomato sauce.
For desserts, pay attention to puff pastries with ricotta and imkaret (pastry stuffed with dates).
Have a nice trip!
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Malta is rightfully considered an ideal holiday destination - its favorable climate, unusual and diverse nature, enormous cultural heritage, luxurious resorts with a consistently high level of service and a developed entertainment industry make this archipelago extremely attractive to hundreds of thousands of tourists. This tiny state is located in the heart of the Mediterranean, and has absorbed all the best that this region can have.
The first thing that captivates you about a holiday in Malta is the unusually favorable climate. It is always warm here, there is no frost, snow or cold rain, even fog never touches the shores of the island. The clearest water of the Mediterranean Sea warms up to +25°C off the coast of Malta, and many interesting attractions of Maltese resorts will make your vacation enjoyable and educational at the same time.
This is where you can spend your dream vacation. If you are interested in an active holiday, then beach sports, diving, rock climbing and golf will be just the thing for you. Those who want to forget about the frantic pace of the modern world for a couple of weeks will certainly enjoy the clean beaches, quiet lagoons and picturesque landscapes of Malta. And lovers of a vibrant holiday and wild fun will not be bored here either - during the day you can visit various historical sights of the island, and then plunge headlong into the noisy nightlife that takes place in numerous bars, restaurants, clubs and casinos.
In addition, the Maltese Islands are a great opportunity not only to relax, but also to restore your health. Unique natural resources, a high level of medical care and a huge number of high-quality SPA centers will have a positive effect on both your well-being and appearance.
One of the undeniable advantages of Malta's resorts is their compact location - this makes it possible to see all the sights and visit all the most interesting places with minimal time and effort, getting pure pleasure from your vacation. This is exactly the rare case when excursions are not at all exhausting, even for those who are not too interested in them.
Malta has no rivers or mountain ranges, and the towns are so tiny that they consist of no more than four streets. Not counting the capital, of course.
At the same time, this small country has a great history behind it, the memory of which is embodied in elegant and amazingly beautiful architecture. Here, ancient pagan religious buildings coexist with the very first Christian churches, and there are also buildings that were built long before the construction of the Cheops pyramid.
Valletta is the capital of Malta; this town is home to a huge number of ancient cathedrals and architectural ensembles, which, among other things, contain ancient frescoes and paintings by great masters of past eras. This city is declared by UNESCO as a historical monument of world significance.
But in the Middle Ages, the capital of Malta was Mdina, a very ancient fortress city, in a small area of which castles, temples and museums are concentrated. Here there are cells of the first Christian prophets carved into the rocks and their burials - and all this has remained completely timeless and appears before the eyes of tourists exactly the same as it was hundreds of years ago.
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Even despite the small territory of the country, there are places in it that civilization has not yet touched. All life here is concentrated only in the northeastern part of the island. The thing is that in the south and west Malta is separated from the sea by a rather steep and rocky coast, so here you will not find either luxury hotels or private villas - only stunning landscapes with unique flora. To better see all the richness and diversity of the island, you also need to look at it from the outside, so do not deny yourself the pleasure of taking a boat trip around the coastline of the island, so you can appreciate all the beauty of the bays, bays and crystal clear azure sea.
Malta is famous for its unique diving locations - they say that having dived into the sea here just once, it is impossible to resist the temptation again and again to look at the bizarre reliefs of the Maltese archipelago at a depth of several meters and observe the life of hundreds of colorful fish, some of which appear only at sunset . That is why night dives are also popular here, during which the underwater world appears before you in a completely different light.
The island state of Malta lies at the crossroads of the sea routes of Europe, Africa and Asia. If Italy on the map resembles a woman's boot, then the geographical contours of its closest neighbor Malta are presented in the form of an elegant footprint from the boots of its many guests and conquerors who have ever set foot on this blessed land. Since ancient times, several miniature islands have served as a quiet haven for travelers, merchants and emigrants who roamed the sea. Even the famous pilgrim Odysseus enjoyed the hospitality of the local nymph Calypso for seven long years. By the way, translated from the ancient language of the eternal wanderers of the Phoenicians, Malta is a refuge.
The warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea wash the Maltese archipelago from all sides. The territory occupies several rocky islands. Three of them are so densely populated that the country is now the third most densely populated in the world, although its largest island is smaller than the area inside the Moscow ring road. The remaining islands are uninhabited, so they attract travelers looking for unusual adventures. And even with all its guests combined, the state is still the smallest in the European Union.
The blue lagoons of Malta annually attract millions of tourists from all over the world. Even homebodies in the UK have traditionally escaped their rain and fog to these sunny islands. The mild climate here is enjoyed not only by beach lovers.
Over the past seven thousand years of chronicle, countless historical and cultural monuments have accumulated on the islands: from legends about Atlantis in the archipelago area and knightly symbols of the mysterious Order of Malta, to traces of the presence of Napoleon’s soldiers and British colonialists from the time of Queen Victoria. A fair number of English language schools attract students from all over the world with their reasonable costs and excellent quality of educational programs. The Mediterranean country is also favored by those who prefer active recreation in the fresh air. Here nature itself has created favorable conditions for avid yachtsmen, scuba divers and rock climbers.
There is a growing number of Russians who want to learn English, combining a relaxing holiday with communication among native speakers. For more than a century and a half, the state was a colony of Great Britain, until the 70s of the twentieth century. The Republic of Malta is still part of the British Commonwealth. Therefore, the second state language, after Maltese, is considered to be the language of the great Lord Byron. In the minds of the British, with the light hand of the English poet, the definition of the country as a “garrison greenhouse” was firmly established for a long time, hinting at a hot climate and belonging to a great empire. The poem “Farewell to Malta” was written by him during a visit to the island in 1809.
Scuba divers come to Malta all year round. The minimum water temperature of 14 degrees in winter and 24 degrees in summer is favorable for scuba diving. There are several dozen training schools for beginner divers. The oldest Russian underwater club, Moscow State University, has been taking its amateurs and professionals to the islands for many years, many of whom have diving experience in different parts of the world known for their diving communities. The local rocky coast is famous for its grottoes and beautiful marine architecture in the depths. Underwater caves will not leave the most experienced divers indifferent.
The Maltese archipelago is surrounded by countries on two continents. There are no land borders, only sea ones. To the north, 90 km across the strait, the islands border Italian Sicily. Residents of the southern and western coasts, as before, meet sea caravans from Africa. The ancient trade routes of modern Egypt, Libya and Tunisia intersect here. A little further east live our neighbors on the Greek islands. Loaded caravels of merchants of the Basque country used to sail from the west, now planes of Spanish airlines arrive.
The three miniature islands of Malta, Comino and Gozo are home to the entire population of the Parliamentary Republic, numbering about four hundred people. Other islands have no towns or villages due to their tiny size. The largest of them, Malta, measures 246 square kilometers, which is three and a half times smaller than Moscow. The length of its territory from north to south is 27 km.
The Maltese capital Valletta bears the name of its most famous knight and protector. With his proposal, the construction of a new city began in 1566. This happened immediately after the successful victory of the knights of the Order of St. John over the troops of the Ottoman Empire.
Another major tourist city with the Arabic name Mdina is known for its complete absence of car traffic, which allows its countless Baroque palaces and Moorish fortresses to be preserved from destruction.
Malta does not have a mountainous landscape; the highest point is at an altitude of 253 meters above sea level. However, numerous low but steep rocky slopes attract beginner climbers. A characteristic feature of the landscape is the absence of freshwater rivers. But the coastline is literally indented with rocky bays.
The Maltese language and its speakers have roots close to the Greeks and Italians. Now the local population is rapidly growing due to emigrants from North African countries. It is not uncommon for British grandparents to settle on the islands after retirement. Recently, a lot of marriages between Maltese and Russians have been registered.
Tourists come to Malta not only to swim in the warm Mediterranean waters and sunbathe on sunny beaches. The rich history of Europe, Africa and the Middle East, with its fascinating stories, is fully reflected in the rich culture and luxurious architecture of the Maltese islands, which attracts curious travelers from all over the world.
Current time in Valletta:
(UTC +1)
Local museums contain artifacts that are seven thousand years old. The structures, built long before the Egyptian pyramids, still hide the history of the mysterious ancient people who lived on the territory of Malta in prehistoric times. Catholic churches preserve evidence of the missionary work on the island of the Apostle Paul, the closest comrade-in-arms and contemporary of Jesus Christ. Italian palazzos surrounded by works of landscape art delight experienced artists. The noble medieval knights of the famous Order of Malta left their traces everywhere, full of mystery and romance.
How to get to Malta
By plane
In addition to the obvious option of getting to Malta from various Russian cities with a connection in Moscow, there are other ways: various European airlines fly from both the Russian capital and from the regions to the capital of Catalonia with connections at their home airports. Below we list these airlines (connection cities are indicated in brackets).
- Lufthansa (Frankfurt am Main): Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod, Perm, Rostov-on-Don, Samara.
- Austrian Airlines (Vienna): Moscow, St. Petersburg, Rostov-on-Don, Krasnodar.
- AlItalia (Rome): Moscow, St. Petersburg.
- Brussels Airlines (Brussels): Moscow.
- Air Berlin (Berlin): Moscow.
- Swiss (Zurich): Moscow, St. Petersburg.
- Air Baltic (Riga): Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kaliningrad.
From Italy and Greece
Air Malta airbuses can be used to travel to Malta from the Italian cities: Rome, Bologna, Catania, Reggio Calabria, Palermo and Milan. In addition, several flights daily from Italy are carried out by Alitalia and Meridiana airlines. Cost from 130 euros.
There are air connections with Athens. An economy class ticket costs 180-220 euros. Travel time 35 minutes. Direct flights on Fridays and Tuesdays. The same airline Air Malta has one-stop flights on Mondays and Sundays costing from 250 to 350 euros.
Other airlines also operate flights from Greece and Italy to Malta, but with transfers. Sometimes the total flight time can reach 9 hours. (for example, Lufthansa has flights from Athens to Luqa via Frankfurt am Main). In any case, getting to Malta through the Italian cities mentioned above will not be any problem.
On a ferryboat
Ferries operate between the Italian island of Sicily and the Maltese capital. Virtu Ferries ferries depart from the piers of the Sicilian towns of Catania and Pozzallo to Valletta. There are high-speed flights lasting 1.5 hours. There are also less high-speed vessels that transport passengers from one state to another in 3 hours. Ticket prices depend on the season and range from 55 to 100 euros. Children are almost twice as cheap. A catamaran from the Jean de la Valette company, which can accommodate up to 800 passengers, runs to and from the Sicilian seaport. Another ferry service runs from Genoa, Italy.
Having a Schengen visa allows you to travel between European cities and Malta without any border problems.
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Climate and weather in Malta
The hot breath of close Africa is felt on the Maltese islands, like in no other southern European country. And only the prevailing north-west wind in winter, bringing with it storms and bad weather, reduces the average number of sunny days per year to three hundred. But even the “cool” winter weather does not prevent tourists from sunbathing and swimming in the numerous outdoor pools warmed by the southern sun on New Year’s holidays. Malta is on the same latitude as Morocco and Tunisia. But warm Mediterranean winds blowing across the islands from all sides soften the climate, permeating the air with sea freshness.
There is no sweltering African heat in Malta, although once, many years ago, a maximum temperature of 43 degrees was recorded here. The usual summer temperature of 28-35 degrees is balanced due to the intense movement of air masses over the islands, which have a very modest size. In addition, they have neither mountains nor skyscrapers, which usually delay the refreshing winds in other southern countries.
Half a year summer
For six months, from May to October, real summer lasts here. Russian tourists, accustomed to closely monitoring changes in temperature and precipitation in order to dress “for the weather,” may forget about their home habits during their stay in Malta. Typical summer clothes - shorts, T-shirts and sunglasses - are not changed even by those who brought with them a couple of suitcases of dresses and shirts. Those who forget to put on baseball caps and hats in the morning are in for trouble in the form of sunstroke and sun-scorched tops. There are no fresh mornings and cool evenings in the middle of summer. Night temperatures of twenty degrees replace the daytime heat of thirty degrees. Only the fresh sea breeze on the coast pleases lovers of walks under the southern stars.
Travelers arriving on an overnight flight are greeted by increased air humidity, which is, however, common in Mediterranean countries. But local residents rarely enjoy fast and warm rain. If a rare rain cloud appears in the bright blue sky, it won’t last long. Ten minutes of rain again gives way to heat. Therefore, you will only need an umbrella here to protect yourself from the sun. By the way, another protection against scorching rays - a thick layer of suntan cream - should not be neglected even in September, when the temperature sometimes warms up above 30 degrees during the day.
Autumn: swimming season continues
Autumn comes to Malta in mid-October. Although it is difficult for an ordinary resident of central Russia to mistake the lush greenery of the surrounding nature and the air warmed to 20-23 degrees for boring autumn weather. Our compatriot would rather call this time cool summer days, given the swimming season that continues until mid-November and the absence of heavy rains. The sea cools down very slowly under the hot southern sun. The water temperature in November is almost the same as the air temperature. Twenty degrees does not stop Russian tourists from swimming in the sea.
When visiting Malta, no matter the time of year, don't forget flip-flops or other open-toe shoes with elastic soles for walking along the rocky coastline. Sandy beaches on the islands are very rare, there are only 15 of them. They are mostly man-made. Elsewhere along the coast, people sunbathe on pebbles, sun loungers and artificial pontoons.
Winter: lots of sun and some rain
The so-called “winter rainy season” begins in December. Oh, heat-loving southerners! They do not know the real torrential rains that lasted for several weeks under the gloomy sky of our northern side. Therefore, the Maltese call their rare rain in December-January a whole “season”. And the average daily temperature of plus 15-18 degrees is called winter. But the still bright sun does not allow the sea to cool down. The water temperature from December to February plus 14-16 allows divers at this time of year to explore with interest the clear blue waters of underwater caves rich in marine fauna. In winter, the number of tourists in Malta is significantly reduced, but still decent discounts in this cool but warm season attract many people escaping to warm countries from the Christmas cold of their northern homeland.
And it's spring again
In March, mild winter gives way to the long-awaited spring. Already from the end of February the sun begins to noticeably become hot. The already rare storm winds at sea are ending completely. Nature renews its colors, wildflowers, hibiscus and bougainvillea begin to bloom. The temperature creeps up and quickly exceeds the twenty-degree mark during the day. It's time to get on a bike and, under the cool spring sun, go around the islands, emerald with young foliage. 4/5 of the country is not occupied by cities, but is covered in spring with green fields and blooming gardens.
Cities and regions
Since 1993, Malta has been divided into 68 municipalities, which are combined into 6 districts and 3 regions. The districts are called: Outer Harbor (No. 3) and Inner Harbor (No. 1), Gozo and Comino Islands District (No. 6), Western (No. 4), Northern (No. 2) and South Eastern (No. 5) districts. The centers of the districts are the cities around which they were formed.
Regions of Malta
Cities of Malta
Valletta, La Valletta is the capital of the Republic of Malta, named after its founder - knight, naval commander, Master of the Order of St. John, Jean Parisot de la Valletta, who defended the city from the Turks.
Valletta is located on the north-eastern coast of the island of Malta, on a peninsula between Marsamchette and Grand Harbor bays, at the foot of Mount Sciberras.
The first settlements in this area date back to the 9th century BC. e. In the 7th century BC. e. The area belonged to the Greeks from the 6th century BC. e. - to the Carthaginians, from 218 to the Romans, then to the Byzantines, and from 869 to the Arabs. In the 11th century, Malta was annexed to Sicily by the Normans, who at the beginning of the 16th century transferred it to the Order of St. John.
The history of the city of Valletta begins with the victory of the Maltese knights of Jean de La Valletta over the Turkish troops of Suleiman the Magnificent, after which on March 28, 1566, the Grand Master personally laid the first stone of the new city. The construction work, led by the Italian architect Francesco Laparelli da Cortona, took place with donations from the entire Christian world and was carried out in accordance with all the canons of urban planning. Thus, special systems were created to drain wastewater and remove garbage from the city, and the streets were planned so that the sea breeze cleans and cools the air in Valletta. The subsequent development of the city with residential buildings was controlled by a special Department of City Planning that exists to this day. According to the rules, it was allowed to build houses only along the streets, decorate their corners with statues, and build a well in the courtyard to collect rainwater; it was forbidden to lay out gardens in front of the facades. Upon completion of construction, Valletta was surrounded by a ditch 1 km long, 20 m wide and 18 m deep.
Since 1570, the construction of the city was continued by Laparelli's student Gerolamo Cassar, who erected many significant palaces and churches in the Maltese capital. Trade, crafts and art developed in Valletta. In 1798, Valletta was occupied by Napoleon's troops, who were warmly received by the Knights of Malta, which ultimately allowed them to avoid destruction of the city. In 1800, the island of Malta came under British rule, where it remained until 1974. During World War II, the city was heavily damaged by German bombing, but was restored in peacetime. Since 1974, Valletta has become the official capital of the Republic of Malta. Today the city is an open-air museum, full of interesting historical and architectural monuments and attracting a lot of tourists every year.
Mdina is an ancient city in Malta, which was once its capital. The city was formed about 4000 years ago. At the turn of the 2nd-1st century. BC e. There was already a fortified Phoenician fortress on this site. Mdina's heyday came during the Roman period, when its territory consisted of the current city itself and nearby Rabat. It is known that the Apostle Paul visited Mdina, landing here after a shipwreck in 60 AD. e.
The Arabs, having come to power, reduced the size of Mdina, but added more powerful fortifications and a moat to the fortress. The Knights of the Order of St. John occupied Mdina in 1530.
Mdina, which is dominated by buildings in the Norman and Baroque styles, is often called the “Aristocratic City” (Citta Notabile).
It is also worth seeing Rabat - a colorful suburb of Mdina, formed at the same time as it, but separated by the Arabs from the city in 870 and remaining outside the fortress wall.
Car traffic is prohibited in Mdina.
Sliema is a famous resort in Malta, where the holiday season continues all year round. Sliema is located on the northern coast of the island, in the Marsamxett harbour. Formed in the 19th century as a respectable metropolitan suburb, Sliema today is perhaps the most fashionable Maltese city, a center of tourism and shopping. Hotels of various “star ratings” and levels are also located here - from luxury ones, like Crowne Plaza 5* and Fortina Spa Resort 5*, to small and affordable “starless” private boarding houses.
St. Julian's is a small resort town located between fashionable Sliema and Patchville, next to it to the west, on the shores of Spinola Bay. St Julian's, which grew from a small village around the local cathedral, is today one of Malta's busiest resorts. St. Julian's is best known for its excellent restaurants, of which there are a great many in the city.
Patchville is a small town that has no border with its predecessor, St. Julian's. This is an area of discos and bars, where nightlife begins around eight o'clock in the evening and ends by the next morning.
Marsaskala is a resort town on the shores of the bay of the same name in the east of Malta. Marsaskala is a fairly large settlement by Maltese standards, with a population of about 9,500 people. The name of the city comes from the words “marsa” and “sqalli” and translates as “Sicilian port”.
Cottonera
The Three Cities - Cottonera - is a historic site near Marsaskala, south of Valletta. The three towns are Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea, the settlements south of Valletta where the Knights of the Order of St John originally settled in 1530. The first residence of the Grand Master in Malta was located here. Later, the knights erected new fortification lines (the Cottoner lines, in honor of the Grand Master Nicholas Cottoner) that protected all three cities at once. Today Cottonera is the only place in Europe protected by two rows of fortress walls. Cottonera has many interesting architectural monuments.
Qawra and Bugibba are two resort towns in the north of the island of Malta, forming the popular tourist area of St. Paul's Bay. Originally small fishing villages, located near the place where in 60 AD. e. The shipwreck of the Apostle Paul, Aura and Bugibba today are comfortable resorts with numerous hotels, shops, bars, restaurants and nightclubs.
Victoria is the unofficial capital of the island of Gozo, which, together with the island of Comino, forms a separate administrative-territorial unit of Malta. Victoria, with the suburbs of Fontana and Kerch, is the most populous city of the island, located in its center. Originally called Rabat, like the suburb of Mdina, the city was renamed Victoria in 1887 - in honor of the Queen of England, but among local residents and on car signs on the roads you can often find the old name.
A distinctive feature of Victoria is that it has absolutely no hotels marked with “stars” - only private housing for rent. At the same time, there are always a lot of tourists who want to visit Victoria: they are attracted by the local fortress (Citadel), the cathedral, many churches, museums, and two theaters.
Xlendi (or Xlendi) is one of Gozo's two main resorts, located in a picturesque natural bay. Until the end of the 1980s, Xlendi was a small fishing village, but with the development of the tourism industry it turned into a cozy resort town.
Marsalforn is another resort town in Gozo, located in the north of the island. Like other coastal resort towns in Malta, Marsalforn was also originally a fishing village. But echoes of fishing can be found in the resort to this day - there are excellent fish restaurants.
What to see
Malta, being for many centuries at the crossroads of European trade routes, has acquired many cultural, architectural and historical monuments. Therefore, despite its relatively modest size, there is a lot to see on the island.
Below we list the main attractions of Malta. By following the links, you will find more detailed information about the object (history, description), as well as find out the cost of tickets, ways to get there by public transport, opening hours, location on the map, photographs and other useful nuances.
Sights of Malta
Museums of Malta
Costume shows
In addition to the classic stone attractions, Malta offers tourists all kinds of costume shows and performances. The most popular ones are listed below.
Where to go in Malta
Attractions
Museums and galleries
Where to eat and drink
Entertainment
Parks and Recreation
Transport
Shops and markets
Private guides in Malta
Russian private guides will help you get acquainted with Malta in more detail.
Registered on the Experts.Tourister.Ru project.
Things to do in Malta
Excursions
The list of excursions around small Malta is quite impressive. Here's what domestic and Maltese tour operators offer:
| Excursion name | Peculiarities | Cost, euro |
| Valletta (½ day) | Sightseeing tour of Valletta + film “The Life of Malta” | 31 (adult), 15 (child) |
| Gozo Island (full day) | Sightseeing tour of the island of Gozo | 54 (adult), 21 (child) |
| Mdina (½ day or full day) | Sightseeing tour of Mdina | 23-45 (adult), 8.50-21 (child) |
| Three cities (½ day) | Excursion to Vittoriosa, Cospicua and Senglea | 27 (adult), 14 (child) |
| Grand Harbor Cruise (½ day) | Boat trip along the shores of the natural port of Marsamxett and the Grand Harbor | 28 (adult), 12 (child) |
| Blue Grotto + History of Limestone (½ day) | Visit to unique caves + show “The History of Limestone” at the bottom of a former quarry in Sijivwi, introducing the traditional craft of the Maltese. | 27 (adult), 12 (child) |
| Island of Sicily (full day) | Volcano Etna, Taormina | 114 (adult), 75 (child) |
Tourist train
The Melita Trains Sightseeing Tour is a red trackless train that offers sightseeing tours around Mdina and Rabat. It departs every hour from the Roman Villa (Domus Romana). There is an audio guide in 7 languages. The train covers the 8 km route in half an hour. .
Diving
Diving is a very popular pastime in Malta. The Maltese archipelago, consisting of the islands of Malta, Gozo and Comino, attracts divers from all over the world with the purity of coastal waters (visibility under water is 30-50 m at a depth of 20-30 m), rich underwater flora and fauna, diversity of underwater landscapes (grottoes, tunnels, caves, arches, etc.).
Diving in Malta can be practiced all year round: even in the winter months, the water temperature does not drop below 14°C, while in summer the sea temperature averages 23°C.
The flora and fauna of Maltese waters is extremely rich: there are many species of fish (Mediterranean grouper, parrotfish, red mullet, moray eel, sunfish, stingray, flounder), octopus, seahorses, squid, lobsters, starfish, crabs and cuttlefish. At the bottom there are corals, hard and soft, some varieties of which are practically not found in other areas of the Mediterranean Sea.
The most popular Maltese dive sites are:
- Malta Island: Cirkewwa (Marfa Point), L-Ahrax Point, Delimara Point, St. Paul's Islands, Ghar Lapsi, Anchor Bay, Wied iz-Zurrieq, HMS Maori.
- Gozo Island: Xlendi Cave and Xlendi Reef, Fungus Rock, Reqqa Point.
- Comino Island: Irqieqa Point, Santa Maria Caves, Cominotto Reef.
In addition to these dive sites, there are a number of wrecks (sunk ships).
Independent divers wishing to dive in Malta without an instructor must fill out an application form, present a dive log book and a valid diver certificate (minimum CMAS/2 stars), 2 photographs. All diving schools will help with paperwork.
Dive centers in Malta, united in , offer a wide range of courses, from basic training to advanced training according to international standards to the rank of instructor. The duration of the courses is from 1 day. There are courses on PADI, CMAS and BSAC systems with the issuance of relevant international certificates and dive registration books.
List of diving schools:
Casino
Casinos are another form of entertainment in Malta. Foreign tourists over 18 years of age and Maltese citizens over 25 years of age are allowed to visit them. When visiting for the first time, you must have an identification document. All four casinos in Malta have a dress code: visitors are not allowed in swimsuits, and after 20:00 shorts, sleeveless shirts and open sandals are prohibited. Some casinos give you a jacket and tie to rent upon entering.
List of the most famous casinos in Malta
- Oracle Casino
- Casino at Portomaso
- Casino di Venezia
Teaching English in Malta
Malta is also known in Europe as a country where you can effectively learn English. In recent years, Russians have also begun to come to the island to study English. They are attracted by the absence of visa problems, as well as the cost of training - 30-40% lower than in other English-speaking countries.
Language schools in Malta operate all year round, training takes place according to traditional programs: preparation for the IELTS/Cambrige exams (about 3 months), simple courses of various durations.
Beaches of Malta
In the waters of the Maltese islands there are no ebbs and flows, there are no strong undercurrents or dangerous marine inhabitants, so swimming on its beaches is quite comfortable. Since Malta is a small country, there are no endless beaches here, but small beaches in coves and on the shores of bays are also quite suitable for relaxation. The beaches in Malta are sandy, rocky and pebble, and are also divided into “wild” and “civilized”. Admission to them is free, with the exception of the beaches of hotels and clubs. Sun loungers and umbrellas are available for a fee. Follow the links for more information.
"Transport in Malta".Kitchen
Maltese cuisine is a mix of local culinary traditions and cuisines of other European countries (Italian, French), in particular Sicilian, with some shades of Moorish cuisine.
Maltese cuisine is simple and satisfying. For their preparation, seasonal products (fruits, vegetables), meat and seafood are used.
So, the meal begins with a light snack “bigilla”, prepared from vegetables seasoned with marinade and herbs.
Then soups are served - with meat broth, seasoned with fresh and dried vegetables and jbeinit cheese from the island of Gozo.
Maltese cuisine is famous for its stuffed dishes. Thus, the most famous specialties are stuffed octopus “arnit mimli” and “brajoli” - meat stuffed with herbs and eggs. Excellent fish dishes are “lampuki” (dorado) with tomato sauce and “lampuki pai” - a pie with sea bream and vegetables. Another local cult dish is “stuffat tal fenek”, rabbit stewed with herbs and garlic. Exotic lovers should enjoy the Babbouche snail stew.
In addition, it is worth trying the rice casserole with meat and tomatoes “ross fil-forn”, vegetable stew “kapunata”, local ravioli and pastas with various fillings.
Traditional Maltese bread is called “hobza”, and sandwiches made from it are called “hobz biz zeit”.
The meal is completed with Maltese sweets, of which there are a huge number in the local cuisine: pie with eggplant and dates “m'aret”, “cannoli” cakes with various fillings, halva with almonds “helva tat-tork”, nougat “kubbayt”, biscuits with figs and almonds, etc.
In addition to strong coffee and tea, the Maltese drink the national soft carbonated drink Kinnie. The drink has the taste of bitter oranges, herbs and spices (anise, ginseng, licorice, rhubarb). It began to be produced by the Farsons company in Malta in 1952, as opposed to the American Coca-Cola and Pepsi. It is believed that Kinney perfectly quenches thirst.
The cost of a jar or bottle of Kinny is about 1 euro.
Malta is famous for its wines; winemaking has been a traditional activity of local residents since ancient times. The following grape varieties are grown on the archipelago: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Moscato, Syrah, Gellewza, Girghentina.
The most important wine producers are companies and.
During lunch and dinner, the Maltese usually drink inexpensive table wines: Lachryma Vitis, Special Reserve, Vigne d’Or. In restaurants you can find Dolcino, Red / Green Label, La Vallette, Verdala. Antonin, Gran Cavalier, Marnisi are considered expensive collectibles.
Lovers of sweet desserts should try Casella Moscato.
The cost of a bottle of wine is 2-20 euros.
The main producer of local beer is Farsons. The most popular beer is light Ċisk (“Chisk”). You can also try dark varieties with a more textured taste - Blue Label and Lacto. A cocktail made of beer and lemonade is called Shandy. It is also worth trying another local variety - “1565” from Lowenbrau Malta.
Luna di sera
Shopping in Malta
Malta is certainly not a shopping capital like, say, Milan or Paris. However, it is quite possible to dilute the pleasure of walking through the Middle Ages with shopping.
First of all, Malta has a huge number of souvenir shops and jewelry stores. There are large department stores, interesting stores of household goods and interior items. Valletta has many shoe stores and children's stores.
The town of Sliema is considered a paradise for shopping. The main shops there are located in St. Anne's Square, Tower Street, Tigne Street and Bisazza Street.
You can read more about shopping in this amazing island state in the material " Shopping in Malta ».
Communications in Malta
Within the Maltese archipelago, all domestic calls are considered local. Phone numbers are six digits. You can call from a landline phone in a hotel or apartment, from a mobile phone and from a payphone on the street, most of which are cardphones, a minority of which are coinphones. There are two types of cards - EasyLine and Telecard, of different denominations. They can be bought in souvenir shops, gas stations, department stores, and hotels. You can call abroad from all payphones.
Calls in the evening and on weekends are much cheaper than during business hours. You can also call from the hotel, but it will be significantly more expensive.
Malta's international code is 356.
The international access code is 00, no need to wait for dial tone. For example, a call to Russia will look like this: 00-7 - area code - subscriber number.
- Call to Ukraine: 00-38 - city code - subscriber number.
- Call from Russia to Malta: 8-10-356 - subscriber number.
There are two cellular operators in Malta - and their tariffs are approximately the same. Packages from local operators are worth purchasing if you plan to stay in Malta for a long time or are traveling with a large group.
Malta has a large number of internet cafes and Wi-Fi hotspots. Thus, the owners of many hotels and apartments provide their guests with such a service free of charge. In bars and restaurants in resort areas, in order to access the Internet, you need to order something from the menu. McDonalds restaurants also provide Wi-Fi access. The cost of an hour of online work in an Internet cafe will be about 3-5 euros.
A map of Wi-Fi hotspots in Malta can be seen at.
Emergency telephone numbers in Malta
Economy
Safety
Malta is a safe country for tourists. Crime here is almost zero, which is due to long traditions and the small size of the state. However, the old Maltese proverb “When you shake hands with a Maltese, don’t forget to count your fingers” did not arise out of nowhere, so some caution will not hurt: you should not leave valuables in the car, documents and large sums of cash should be kept in the hotel safe, keep a close eye for your things in crowded places.
Malta is an island state. Most of the resorts are located on the two largest islands, one of which bears the same name Malta, and the second is called Gozo. I had a chance to visit both islands, and I will tell you how to get to them, but we will focus, of course, on the largest island of the Malta archipelago, since this is where the Maltese airport is located, and you can only get to the islands in two ways: either by air, or by water. However, at the end of the article I will make a small section specifically for those who travel by car.
By plane: air tickets, transfers, low-cost airline
Malta is one of the most popular and relatively inexpensive Mediterranean resorts, and therefore there are a lot of options to get there by air. In addition, despite the holiday seasonality (traditionally high season from mid-June to the end of September), thanks to the large number of English schools, a large number of tourists and students fly there in winter as well. This ensures the availability of regular flights from most European countries and from Russia all year round, although in the summer, of course, the number of flights to Malta increases significantly.
Air travel from Russia
Regular flights from our country to Malta are operated from Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport by the Maltese airline AirMalta together with the Russian Aeroflot. Flight time is 4 hours 20 minutes. Departures operate regardless of the time of year every Saturday and Sunday early in the morning. In mid-June, an additional flight on Wednesdays appears, which operates until the end of September. In any case, you should check with the carrier in advance for the exact schedule, since even regular flights sometimes change their schedule. With a certain amount of luck, the cost of tickets starts from 130 EUR if you buy them in advance. I would recommend targeting 200-250 EUR one way if you plan to fly non-stop.
Also in the summer season, charter flights to Malta appear. Similar flights depart not only from Moscow, but also from other major Russian cities. It is best to check the availability and cost of tickets for charters with travel companies. Most often, such flights are paired with a ready-made tour, which already includes a hotel and transfer from the airport.
Unfortunately, there are no direct flights from St. Petersburg, either in the summer, during the season, or at any other time of the year. So you can only get from the northern capital with transfers. The fastest and most inexpensive flights are offered by AirBaltic with a connecting flight in Riga and AirMalta with a connecting flight in Rome. The cost of such flights starts from 160 EUR. I also recommend paying attention to Turkish Airlines flights: the transfer in Istanbul may take 8-10 hours, but the cost is not very high (from 140 EUR)
Connecting flight in Europe
There is no point in listing which European cities you can change planes in if you have planned your holiday in Malta. From almost any European state (most often from capital cities) there is at least one flight to the Maltese archipelago: and any other. Choose based on departure time, transfer duration and your preferences. There are also flights from Istanbul, which usually turn out to be very competitive in terms of price. The cost of tickets, depending on the route and carriers, can vary from 200 to 500 EUR. for selecting air tickets will help you design the best option.
However, such ticket selection services do not take into account flights of low-cost airlines, while one of the cheapest European air carriers, RyanAir, flies to Malta. And if you like to travel light, then this is a great option. RyanAir flies to Malta from more than ten different European cities, including Vilnius, which, for example, can be reached from St. Petersburg by bus. This will allow you to save significantly when planning a holiday or study in Malta. The cost of bus tickets starts from 30 EUR. You can get from Moscow to Vilnius by train, which will cost you about 20 EUR. A RyanAir plane ticket from Vilnius to Malta will cost about 80 EUR without luggage or significantly cheaper if you get special discounts. In total, a one-way trip will cost you 100-120 EUR. The cost of flights to Malta from other cities can be found on the carrier’s website. Sometimes these are completely ridiculous numbers like 15 EUR per flight.
There is also the option of combining a flight and a ferry. From Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport there is a direct flight of the Italian airline Alitalia to Catania, a city on the island from where ferries go to Malta. Air tickets for this flight cost from 150 EUR. I’ll tell you below how to get to Malta by ferry.
Malta Airport
Malta has only one international airport. It is located in the municipality of Luqa. It is just five kilometers from the capital of the state, Valletta. To get around the island, you can take a taxi. No matter which city in Malta you go to, the cost of the trip will most likely be in the range of 20-30 EUR, even if you go very close, since the starting tariff in a Maltese taxi is quite high.
If you didn't bring a dozen huge suitcases with you, I would recommend taking the bus. Malta has a well-developed bus network with very reasonable fares. The cost of one trip is from 2 EUR. For this money, you can transfer as many times as you like and change the route within two hours without paying anything extra. From the airport there are six routes around the island. They all start with the letter X: route X1 goes to Chirkeva, X2 to and so on. More details about routes and tariffs can be found.
Ferry to Malta
I already mentioned above that ferries go to Malta from the Italian island. They come either from Catania or from Pozzallo. Flights are operated by Virtu Ferris. Sometimes this may be a combination of a bus from Catania to Pozzallo and a ferry from Pozzallo to Malta. Bus transfers are also provided by Virtu Ferris.
Travel time from Catania to Malta is 4.5 hours, from Pozzallo just under two hours. The duration of the journey may vary slightly due to weather conditions. By the way, keep this in mind in case you decide to return to Russia via Catania. If a storm causes the ferry to be delayed or even canceled altogether (this rarely happens in the Mediterranean, but it does happen), you could lose your plane tickets. So it’s better to take plenty of time. It is especially important to take this into account in winter. In summer, the sea is calmer.
As for the water transport schedule, on weekdays there are two ferries connecting Malta and Pozzallo (morning and evening), on weekends there is only one (in the morning from Malta to Pozzallo, in the evening - back). Connection with Catania - Monday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday. For a more detailed schedule of ferries between Sicily and Malta, see.
Ferry ticket prices vary greatly depending on the season. In low season it can be as little as 60 EUR, while in high season the price can double or even more. The difference in ticket prices from Catania and Pozzallo is small - only 12 EUR. Children's tickets cost almost half the price.
During the high season, ferries sometimes operate to Malta from the Italian city of Salerno. Information can be clarified, for example, .
On the island of Malta itself, all ferries from Italy arrive at the port of the state's capital, Valletta. From the port you can walk to the island's central bus station. I marked these two points on the map. It's difficult to get lost there. There are signs everywhere.
The walk here takes about 15 minutes, or you can go two stops by bus. Landmark is the huge Triton fountain.
More than ten convenient routes depart from this central station throughout the island. I wrote above about where to look at the schedule and cost of bus tickets.
By ferry to Gozo
Gozo is the second largest island of the state of Malta. There is no airport on this island, so you can only get there by water, unless, of course, you are the happy owner of a small personal airplane (a large one simply cannot land there due to the size of the island). Although five years ago there were helicopters flying from Malta's Luqa airport to Gozo, they were abandoned because the cost of the flight was very high, and apparently there were not many people interested. Currently, a helicopter in Gozo can only be ordered privately.
Ferries to this small island depart from the Maltese port of Cirkeva. Ticket price is 4.65 EUR for an adult passenger (cheaper at night - yes, ferries to Gozo also depart at night). If you are traveling with a car, the cost of the crossing will be 15.7 EUR. Ferries run every 30-40 minutes. For more detailed information on how to get to the island of Gozo, how to get around the island and what to see there, read on our website.
By car through Sicily
If you are traveling by car, you will need to get to the Italian island first. Depending on the route you choose, you will have to cover 3,900 kilometers or more. Pure travel time is more than forty hours. During this time, you will cross five or six European countries, where you will encounter multiple toll roads, for which you should be prepared.
Since Sicily is also an island, you will take a ferry from Villa San Giovane to the Sicilian city of Messina. Ferries depart every 15 minutes. Travel time is 25-30 minutes. The cost of loading one car is from 40 EUR. It's impossible to get lost there. There are many signs in Villa San Giovanni and all the traffic also goes towards the port. At the port itself, specially trained people in uniform will show you where to buy a ticket, where to get off and where and when to go. Loading onto the ferry usually takes no more than 20 minutes.
Once you reach Sicily, set your navigator to Pozzallo, from where you can take the ferry back to Malta. By the way, in Pozzallo itself, a navigator will also be useful to you, since there are not very many signs there, and the locals speak only Italian, and if they speak another language besides Italian, then they are most likely not locals, and where is the port they do not know. The cost of a water car transfer from Sicily to Malta starts from 140 EUR (this figure also varies depending on the season and the size of the car).
And now you have reached Malta in your car. I hope it doesn't come as a surprise to you that traffic here is on the left side of the road and even experienced drivers take several hours to change lanes. In addition, traffic in Malta is very energetic. But this is not a reason to refuse a great trip...
Finally
Malta is not a very big country, but with an ancient history, wonderful climate and interesting nature. I recommend that once you get to your hotel in the wonderful city of Valletta or the equally wonderful Sliema or St Julian's (or any other wonderful place) - don't stop there - explore the island and its neighboring islands. Firstly, they deserve it, and secondly, it’s so easy to do with Malta’s convenient transport system.
